CN102355932A - Expanded metal filters - Google Patents

Abstract

Expanded metal sheets are used to produce tubular filters. The expanded metal sheet has a multiplicity of rows of openings arranged to reduce nesting when the sheet is rolled on itself. In particular, the pitch between the rows of openings, the sizes of the openings, or both the pitch between the rows of openings and the sizes of the openings are varied to reduce nesting when the expanded metal sheet is rolled. The filters can include external circumferential grooves, rounded comers produced by a point loading process, textured surfaces between openings, and/or torturous internal paths produced by non-perforated areas of an expanded metal sheet. The expanded metal sheet can be composed of carbon steel coated with a material having a higher heat conductivity, e.g., tin. Among other things, the filters can be used in automobile airbag inflators to capture slag and absorb heat produced by the inflator's explosive charge.

Description

The expanded metal filter

The mutual reference of related application

The application is the partial continuous application of the U.S. Patent application 12/407204 to be looked into jointly of submission on March 19th, 2009; And this patent 12/407204 is the partial continuous application of the International Patent Application PCT/US2007/078971 of submission on September 20th, 2007; And this International Patent Application PCT/US2007/078971 requires the senior interest of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/846381 that on September 21st, 2006 was submitted to and the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of submitting on October 14th, 2,006 60/851719 according to 35USC § 119 (e), and open with English as WO/2008/036788 on March 27th, 2008.This paper is to introduce the full content of U.S. Patent application 12/407204, International Patent Application PCT/US2007/078971 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/846381 and 60/851719 referring to mode.

Technical field

The present invention relates to expanded metal; It has opening, the variable opening spacing of variable size, and perhaps both have both at the same time, like this; When plate when rolling volume on one's body; Opening more can not aimed at nested, the invention still further relates to the method for making this plate, the filter of using this plate to process, and the method for making filter.

Background technology

A. expanded metal

Expanded metal has various uses, filter that the mat of using from fire-fighting is used to the automotive airbag aerator etc.They can be made in every way.For example, expanded metal can be made with following method: get a metallic plate, punching and form a plurality of slits is onboard draged perpendicular to the direction of this slit and to be drawn this plate and elongate slit, thereby forms opening onboard.Another common method of making expanded metal is that perforation and cold working form opening, because the cause of opening final form, they often are referred to as " rhombus ".The final length of porose plate is longer than the original length, so plate is expanded and the opening that forms is also expanded.

Therefore, although detail can change according to concrete technical process, expanded metal uses a toothrow or the convexity formation punching in plate in the drift to make usually.Plate will have sagging around punching towards a gusset of drift, and the opposition side of plate has corresponding bossing, burr around this punching.When stack of plates, coil, reel or when placing with overlapping relation otherwise, the regular distribution of punching then allows punching nested up, and the existence of burr can be locked in this structure in the nested configuration.The burr that is attached in each punching also forms the zone that frictional force increases, and makes that expanded metal is not easy to slide, and especially when coiling around similar plate or centering on, expanded metal is difficult for sliding.

B. the filter used of automotive airbag aerator

The filter that the automotive airbag aerator is used need satisfy a plurality of criterions that require.Such filter is used for catching a large amount of fragments that produced when air bag explosion filler is lighted.Fragment can damage air bag, and if fragment from air bag, discharge, then fragment can injure the passenger in the automobile that disposes air bag.In addition, fragment has the injury of chemistry usually to the people.

In order to control fragment, the filter that the automotive airbag aerator is used needs filtering function efficiently.Yet filter also must make the gas of explosion generation arrive apace and be full of this air bag.Just, filter can not produce the back pressure of excessive level.In addition, filter also need satisfy those criterions of conflict mutually, that is, under low back pressure, effectively filtering in the middle of the strong explosion.Except these criterions, filter also is used as diffuser, reaches more uniformly and flows so that get into the expanding gas of air bag, and as radiator, to help the temperature that reduces gas, makes gas can not damage air bag or by the personnel of air bag protection.

Except these were considered, cost was the problem of large-scale production all the time, in automotive field.Therefore, people are also continuing and are constantly making great efforts to produce low-cost and the high efficiency filter that is used for airbag inflator.

Summary of the invention

According to first aspect, a kind of tubular filter is disclosed, it comprises expanded metal, this expanded metal has the opening of many arranged, with roll on himself at metallic plate, roll the coiled pipe and weld and reduce when fixedly tubulose is directed nested, wherein:

(a) expanded metal is formed by the big metallic plate with certain width and axis;

(b) expanded metal has the long limit that is formed by big metallic plate and has cut into a part of minor face of this big plate;

(c) forming slit and forming opening in the metallic plate greatly along axis direction stretching, extension slit; And

(d) make the spacing between each row of openings, the size of opening or both variations of size of spacing between each row of openings and opening; Reduce when rolling on himself at expanded metal nested (for example; According to changing the spacing between each row of openings for the defined periphery of certain portions, make that the opening of radially adjoining can be not nested) by the filter intramedullary expansion metallic plate of reeling.

According to second aspect, a kind of method of making filter is disclosed, this method comprises:

(a) metallic plate with certain width and axis is provided;

(b) in metallic plate, form slit, and along the metallic plate axis direction slit that trails, to form many row of openings;

(c) downcut less metallic plate in the metallic plate that from step (b), forms;

(d) make rolling on himself of forming in the step (c), to form pipe than small plate; And

(e) pipe in the employing welding method fixing step (d);

Wherein, In step (b); Many row of openings are arranged to: less metallic plate roll on himself and reduce when forming pipe nested (for example; Change the spacing between two row of openings, the size of opening, or the size of spacing between two row of openings and opening both, reduce nested when forming pipe to roll at less metallic plate on himself).

According to the third aspect, a kind of tubular filter is disclosed, it comprises rolling around himself goes up and the expanded metal of formation multilayer pipe; Wherein, Expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings, and comprises that at least a portion does not have the part of opening, and this part forms the circumferential flow of gas in filter.

According to fourth aspect, a kind of tubular filter is disclosed, it comprises rolling around himself goes up and the expanded metal of formation multilayer pipe; This multilayer pipe has cylindrical outer surface basically; Wherein, expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings, and cylindrical basically outer surface comprises circumferential slot.

According to the 5th aspect; Disclose a kind of tubular filter, it comprises and rolls the expanded metal that forms multilayer pipe around himself going up, and this multilayer pipe has centre bore, cylindrical outer surface basically; And the roughly flat end of between centre bore and cylindrical basically outer surface, extending; Wherein, expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings, intersects the bight that forms between cylindrical basically outer surface and the roughly flat end and then carries out rounding with putting a loading process.

According to the 6th aspect; A kind of tubular filter is disclosed; It comprises rolling around himself goes up and the expanded metal of formation multilayer pipe, and wherein, expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings; And expanded metal is formed with texture on the surface between some opening at least, to reduce gas at this lip-deep laminar flow.

According to the 7th aspect; Disclose a kind of tubular filter, it comprises rolling around himself goes up and the expanded metal of formation multilayer pipe, wherein; Expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings; Expanded metal comprises first metal, and at least one surfaces coated of first metal is covered with second metal, and the thermal conductivity of second metal is than the thermal conductivity big at least 25% of first metal.

According to eight aspect, a kind of expanded metal that comprises many row of openings is disclosed, wherein, the spacing between the adjacent rows is not invariable, and this metallic plate is corrosion resistant.

According to the 9th aspect, a kind of expanded metal that comprises many row of openings is disclosed, wherein, the spacing between the adjacent rows is not invariable, and this metallic plate is electroplate with another kind of metal before the metallic plate expansion, this is electroplated and adopts catalyst.

Set forth in other the feature and advantage detailed description below of the present invention, these feature and advantage partly are able to understand through detailed description by those skilled in the art easily, or through practice of the present invention described here being able to understanding.

Should be understood that, the generality of front describe with following detailed only be demonstration the present invention, and be intended to be provided for to understand the characteristic that the present invention advocates and the summary or the framework of characteristic.

Include all accompanying drawings in to provide further understanding of the present invention, accompanying drawing is brought in the specification and is constituted the part of this specification.Should be understood that disclosed various aspects of the present invention and characteristic can be used in any and all combinations in specification and the accompanying drawing.For example; The the 3rd to the 7th aspect can be used for adopting in the filter of following expanded metal: this expanded metal does not have spacing and/or the opening that in single plate, changes; For example; These aspects can be used for through each expanded metal is welded together the filter of constructing, and wherein some each metallic plate is differing from each other on spacing and/or opening size at least.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the sketch map of the embodiment of the filter of making expanded metal and being processed by this metallic plate.

Fig. 2 illustrates the end-view according to the filter of the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 A illustrates the plate that on the part opening is arranged and do not have opening on another part, and Fig. 3 B and 3C illustrate the pipe that forms through the plate that rolls in Fig. 3 A.

Fig. 4 A illustrates the rolled-up expanded metal with two punched-tapes, and Fig. 4 B illustrates to have and twines object shown in Fig. 4 A wiry.

Fig. 5 illustrates the photo of the expanded metal of some aspect structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates the photo of the airbag inflator shell that can adopt the disclosed expanded metal panel filter of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates the photo of internal chamber situation after the aerator explosion of shell shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 8 illustrates the photo of internal chamber and filter surfaces situation after the aerator explosion of shell shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 9 illustrates the sketch map of the characteristic features of the expanded metal band with a plurality of openings that spacing and/or size change along band length.This schemes not drawn on scale, and the actual numerical value of part that uses can be greater than or less than the numerical value shown in the figure.

Figure 10 A illustrates the sketch map of the characteristic features of the expanded metal band with a plurality of openings that spacing and/or size change along band length.Figure 10 A not drawn on scale does not show all parts shown in Figure 10 B and the 10D.

Figure 10 B illustrates the schematic cross section of the filter that is used for producing the gas serpentine path.

Figure 10 C illustrates the amplification cross-sectional view of the part in circle C of filter shown in Figure 10 B.

Figure 10 D illustrates the cross-sectional view of filter shown in Figure 10 B that is positioned at the plane that is orthogonal to plane shown in Figure 10 B.

Figure 11 A illustrates and is suitable in metal band, being formed into the schematic cross section to the equipment of groove.

Figure 11 B illustrates the amplification cross-sectional view of Figure 11 A apparatus shown part in circle B.

Figure 12 A illustrates the schematic cross section that filter and filter have the filter housing part of chamfered corners.

Figure 12 B illustrates the amplification cross-sectional view of filter shown in Figure 12 A and shell part in circle B.

Figure 13 A illustrates the schematic cross section that filter and filter have the filter housing part of chamfering.

Figure 13 B illustrates the amplification cross-sectional view of filter shown in Figure 13 A and shell part in circle B.

Figure 14 A and 14B are respectively the vertical view and the side views of signal, illustrate to use the some loading process on filter, to form chamfering.

Figure 15 is illustrated in the photo that forms the roller surfaces that uses in the metal tape with grain surface.

Reference numeral used among the figure is corresponding as follows:

3 grooves

5 expanded metals

The variable part of 7 expanded metals

The not punching part of 9 expanded metals

13 tubular filters

15 airbag inflator shells

The hole of 17 airbag inflator shells

The chamfering of 19 airbag inflator shells

The slag that 21 filters capture

The igniting port of 23 airbag inflator shells

The substantial cylindrical outer surface of 25 filters

The chamfering of 27 filters

The chamfered corners of 29 filters

The roughly flat end of 31 filters

33 load roller

35 grooves that load roller

37 texture graphics

39 positive rollers

41 cloudy rollers

43 guiders

45 protrusions

47 depressions

101 metal tapes or plate roll around

103 press

105 drifts

107 teeth or drill bit

109 stenters

111 cameras

113 computer controls

115 monitors

121 rollers

123 cutter

125 expanded metals

127 expanded metals

129 welding machines

131 cylinders

133 welding machines

The silk screen cylinder of 135 welding

137 female mold

139 axles

201 expanded metals

203 expanded metals

205 weld seams

207 fabrics

209 metal screens

211 weld seams

301 expanded metals

The punching part of 303 expanded metals

The not punching zone of 305 expanded metals

307 twine zone wiry

309 wires twine

The specific embodiment

A. expanded metal filter and the method for making filter like this

Below discussing mainly is the filter of the aerator (also being referred to as " pyrotechnic airbag inflator ", " slag filter " or " cooling agent ") about automobile (vehicle) air bag; Should be understood that; But method and apparatus disclosed herein also is applicable to the filter of other type; Such as the filter that is used for oil, air and other liquids and gases, comprise the cleanable filter that is used for these application.Because be known in the aerator of automotive airbag is expert at, so omit various details with not fuzzy description to example embodiment.

As discussed above, in some aspects, the present invention relates to the filter that (i) processed by the expanded metal of variable spacing and/or variable openings, and the method for (ii) making filter like this.Metallic plate can have different spacings between the opening of adjacent rows, and speed, perforation rate and/or the span that can for example present through manufacturing equipment through the change metallic plate are made plate.Especially, in one embodiment, the present invention provides expanded metal, and this plate has many row of openings, and wherein, the spacing between the adjacent rows is not constant.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a kind of expanded metal, and wherein, row's punching is with respect to plate length and with respect to another row's punching displacement vertically at least.On the other hand, expanded metal is provided, this plate is flattened, to eliminate the protrusion (with sinking) that is caused by punch process and to produce the plate that has than smooth-sided.Use for many kinds, so leveling does not need, but combines the for example demarcation of opening size, and then such leveling just can be of great use.

With regard to production method, in another embodiment, the present invention provides the method for the plate of making the punching with variable spacing, and this method realizes perpendicular to moving direction (vertically) displacement of plate through making punching tool.Certainly, except traditional displacement, this kind displacement is used in makes in the expanded metal panel products, and the punching among the wherein given row is positioned at the midpoint of front-seat punching.In another embodiment; The present invention provides the method for making expanded metal, and this method is passed through: (a) present the metallic plate of certain-length along plate length through several discrete steps, (b) punching and form a round to produce perforated plate; And (c) longitudinally extend perforated plate; Cause punching elongation to become opening and form expanded metal, wherein, present and cause respectively arranging the gap variable between the punching.

The present invention also provides automotive airbag aerator filter, and this filter comprises the expanded metal with many row of openings, this coiled sheet coiled cylinder, and fix with welding method, the spacing between the adjacent rows opening can change between different adjacent rows.

Through using the expanded metal that has the variable spacing of different interval between the adjacent rows opening, can reduce nested in the metallic filter.Make this kind filter through changing speed, perforation rate, span and/or the smooth amount of this plate of flattening alternatively that metallic plate presents through equipment.Nestedly also can use different drift size or these these technological combination to reduce through displacement drift laterally, in multiple drift.Filter can be that the wire that twines is to improve its intensity.

Referring to Fig. 1; The cylinder 101 that the manufacturing of the expanded metal of some aspect starts from metal tape or metallic plate according to the present invention (for example; This cylinder is about 9 inches wide; And this cylinder can be cut the filter that is used to make passenger airbag to 6 inches, cuts to about 1.5 inches air bags that are used for the driver, but can use any width according to the situation of equipment).For the filter that airbag inflator is used, can adopt stainless steel such as SS304,309,310,409,410 or 430 that kind.The carbon steel of C1006 to C1008 is preferable for various application usually.In addition, as following discussion, use for some, the carbon steel that applies the second higher metal of such as tin thermal conductivity can be favourable.Environment according to using expanded metal can use to be applicable to other metal ingredient that is the plate form.

Just in punching operation, plate at first is fed to press 103, and the drift 105 with a plurality of teeth or drill bit 107 moves in the plate, so tooth then, is removed drift to the plate punching.Preferably mutually the same bit geometry makes that preferably slit is formed in the plate.According to the geometry of drill bit, the penetration depth of this drill bit will be confirmed the length of the slit that forms; Penetrate that more deeply then slit is long more, therefore, after stretching, last structure can be more unlimited.For the filter of airbag inflator, be used for the technical specification book of the open region of plate according to air bag manufacturer, the porous or the required parameter of other filter of plate made opening.

This plate preferably through servomotor (not shown) or other critically vertical advancement mechanism of control panel advance.Advancing of plate is preferably discrete step, and like this, plate is static when perforation.Although not as first-selected scheme, in the plate that the roller that has tooth can be used for moving continuously.

The punched-plate that forms in the press is fed to stenter 109 then, and wherein, differential roller stretches this punched-plate along axial direction (that is, along moving direction), so slit is opened into and is diamond hole.(certainly, can adopt hexagonal drill bit to make hex-shaped openings, maybe can adopt other drill bit geometric form, be prevailing shape but slit forms rhombus.)

Carry out fluting and stretch operation although in the time will forming fine pattern, can be used as the operation of separation, carry out fluting and stretch and operate that to produce expanded metal normally preferable through do same motion with same tooth.In this operating period, material is hung up on the bottom blade of flattening, and top tooth that tilts or drill bit make the plate fluting, continue then to be deep in the plate.Plate is curved down, should the crooked formed angle relevant with tooth cause band to carry out stretching routine.Therefore, this band extends through the degree of depth that tooth penetrates more or less.The span that reaches in this way and can be up to about 37% usually in the scope of 20-25%.With fluting-compare with-stretching method, the punching (opening) of one-step method generation, its shape is more as triangle rather than rhombus.As the fluting and the stretching method of separation, one-step method forms opening in the following manner: (i) in metallic plate, form slit, and (ii) stretch slit, but in a step, accomplish along metallic plate longitudinal axis direction, rather than two steps.

Video control system comprises camera 111 and optional monitor 115; This camera links to each other with the computer control 113 of operating software; The all holes of this video control system inspection or open region, and can learn that (all parameters be input in the controller after) all punchings are whether within the specifications regulation.Do not illustrate although give, camera is preferably installed in orbit movably, and when this plate advances transverse to this plate.Camera is preferably captured whole hole rows (transverse to moving direction), more is preferably the contiguous row of several rows who captures in its visual field.The size of software inspection opening and/or shape (geometric form) are to confirm that each opening or open region (actual or that estimate or calculate) are whether within the specifications regulation.Second camera can be placed between drift and the stenter, and it has identical hardware and software, confirms that initial perforation is whether within the regulation of specifications.Be used for confirming the whether calculating within the specifications regulation of product, usually based on through form the light that opening transmits by drift.(suitable software can be buied with IMAGE PRO trade mark from the Media Cybernetics company that is positioned at Maryland State Yin Quan.)

Although be shown as single drift, also can use a plurality of drifts that different punching spacing, geometric form and/or the degree of depth is provided.For example, the order that two drifts can any requirement circulates, and (for example, first drift and second drift alternately or bore a hole twice, or perforation is half the, or two replace, and so on) for stroke or the circulation of any number of times.Preferably, at least one press is the front and back displacement laterally, so that the adjacent rows that this press forms departs from each other.(as what adopted here, one " row " punching is preferably transverse to the length of plate, but also can let press tilt with respect to the longitudinal direction of plate.)

Video control system is carried out optical check to the expanded metal panel products, and whether definite product is within the specifications regulation.In order to change progress, to return or the process of change technique specifications, change advancing of plate through adjustment servomotor (via computer control), to change the longitudinal pitch of punching.Perhaps, the adjustment stenter increases or reduces the amount that punched-plate is stretched.Also but the both is adjusted, when coiled sheet is bent, further to avoid the nested of adjacent layer and/or the aligning of adjacent openings radially.

It is a kind of that the method for variable spacing is provided is the pace that little by little changes plate.For example, the spacing between the row can little by little increase, and then, turning back to original value (for example, for the initial separation of 500 Mills, increases Mill, 1 Mill to 15, turn back to initial separation then, just as zig-zag; Maybe this variation can be sinusoidal or the picture triangular waveform; Or irregular waveform).Through letting gap variable, nested possibility just can reduce widely.Another kind provides the method for variable spacing to be, lets spacing change according to the circumference that board branch given in the rolled-up filter limits, and makes that radially contiguous opening is not nested.Through little by little changing on the expanded metal corresponding to the spacing between the zones of two radially contiguous circumferential layers, can make this method and gap variable method combined, for example, this variation can realize in two to five press cycle.Like this, can avoid the excessive stretching of two transitional regions between the spacing.For most of transitional region, excessively stretching is not a problem, therefore, does not need gradually changing of spacing.

Expanded metal can carry out smooth with one or a pair of roller 121.Plate preferably, is not compressed to the degree that smooth meeting is tending towards closed all openings without any need for compression significantly.Video control system camera (or the second or the 3rd camera) can be placed after planarization step, in this case, should be realized that, adjusts smooth degree and caused opening closure and be can adjust and reach the additional parameter of requirement open region.The burr of flattening can reach two purposes.Burr demonstrates the zone of high CONTACT WITH FRICTION; If roll around or reel, the expanded metal of then flattening can slide on himself with being more prone to.Because contact area increases, the increase surface area of smooth generation just allows to increase welding current and improves weld strength.Except these benefits, as stated, the smooth openings of sizes that makes is suitable.Smoothly itself be not of value to anti-nested basically, therefore concerning major applications, for avoiding unnecessary cost, this additional treatment step will not be used.

Be used for the filter of automotive airbag aerator in manufacturing, a kind of filter geometric form is have porous wall cylindrical.In order to make this kind device; And continue referring to Fig. 1; Smooth expanded metal cuts into each piece 125, and they can be overlapped in another (smooth) expanded metal 127 that can have different open region and place, and carry out attached each other through welding machine 129 (preferably using electric welding).Then, the composite plate that couples together is rolled coiled one cylinder 131, with welding machine 133 network edge is fixed in cylinder.In order to form suitable ID and OD (interior diameter and overall diameter), the net cylinder 135 of welding is placed in the female mold 137 that has removable inwall alternatively, and expandable mandrel 139 is inserted in the centre bore of cylinder alternatively.Through built-up mandrel (expanding alternatively) and mould (shrinking alternatively) cylindrical cold is configured as desirable radially geometric form and size, realizes desired ID of final filter and OD thus.Because this method comprises the big welding capacity of each part, so smooth can be useful, as discussed above, this is because the object after two of expanded metal are smooth when welding together, can be realized than the stronger welding of two non-smooth objects.The another kind of option of object welding method is to use constant spacing, and before object welds together, selected object (for example, whenever at a distance from an object, every at a distance from two objects or the like) is turned over 90 ° simply.In addition because this method relates to a large amount of welding, so smooth can be favourable.

In these filters that form by smooth expanded metals of multilayer parcel of manufacturing, do not observe the nested of punching.Reduce nested with eliminate burr and can make more that the multiple filter layer remains in given radial distance.Therefore, if the OD of design demand regulation then can provide bigger OD; Likewise, the ID of regulation will cause less OD, and therefore device is less generally.Nested still harmful; The nested displacement that produces owing to the radially adjoining opening during plate is aimed at though this is can not make filter end (top of cylinder and/or the end) size not reach the regulation of specifications, and unlimited passage is provided between the adjacent filter layer.Even the opening in the adjacent layer is almost aimed at, but the disappearance of burr has just been eliminated the trend that opening is aimed at (an opening burr drops in the adjacent apertures), therefore, reduces filter capacity.

The weld strength of formation plate is the twice of plate intensity when not smooth.Spot welding is carried out through machine usually automatically, and wherein, welding current is regulated by the welder.Set fixing electric current and can when non-smooth expanded metal welds, cause inconsistency, this is because the burr zone is inhomogeneous, and for each welding, the contact surface area that welding current flows through can change.When expanded metal is flattened, bigger surface area is just arranged, so can adopt bigger welding current.Have found that the welding current that is used in the smooth expanded metal of welding doubles, can produce than have the weld strength more than the weld strength twice of plate of burr, and cause consistent more weld strength.

Above-mentioned filter is rolled into columniform two expanded metals and processes by rolling.Lick in the journey rolling, can add one or more intermediate layers, make filter have a plurality of repeat layer or be each positioned at the different intermediate layers of different radial distance.For example, Fig. 2 illustrates the end (or cross section) of the cylindrical filter that rolls volume, and wherein, the first smooth expanded metal 201 is connected in the second smooth expanded metal 203 through weld seam 205, rolls volume and begins from this first block of plate.In the precalculated position of rolling volume or roll volume amount place, fabric 207 is inserted between the layer, and in the radially outer a certain position from the precalculated position, metal screen 209 is inserted between each layer of metallic plate.The outermost layer of metallic plate is attached on himself through weld seam 211.The filter that forms thus has a plurality of filter courses of different materials.

Fig. 3 A illustrates expanded metal 301, and this plate has punching, expands and be arranged on as yet the part 303 between the not punching zone 305.When restarting to bore a hole in solid (on-perforated) zone back, preferably little by little begin, make originally several drifts preferably not to the plate punching, be positioned at when treating communications centre bore region downstream the trend that plate is cut into two to avoid drift to have in solid area.This plate have the long edge L that forms by original plate and from big plate as a part and the short S (shown in Fig. 1) under the cutting.Some airbag design requires expansion gas (no matter being the explosion or the gas of compression, perhaps both combinations) along specific direction guiding.For example, the air bag of curtain type can require along straight line guiding gas.Perhaps, the zone that air bag component is installed can only have and is applicable to a part that is communicated with the air bag fluid.Plate among Fig. 3 A can use the line that connects minor face to roll as its axis.In this case, long limit will be had the filter of geometric form shown in Fig. 3 B with formation by overlapping and welding, and wherein, the end of filter is by punching, and core only arranged by punching.Perhaps, can use connect long limit line as its axis with coiled sheet, this causes the geometric form shown in Fig. 3 C.Although plate 301 is shown as the part with single punching; But also can make a plurality of punchings parts (through on these zones, not boring a hole) of partly being separated by punching not; To form the filter shown in Fig. 3 B; But have shown in Fig. 4 A two punched-tapes that separated by punching zone not, with shown in single punched-tape contrast.In view of above-mentioned instance, obviously, various piece can or stay not punching by punching, cuts and roll to provide around this plate only to have the tubular filter of punching at the presumptive area place, so that guide gas flow as requested.

The pattern of opening is confirmed by the layout of drill bit on the drift with as the punching rate of printed line property move function.Avoid the various remodeling of nested available basic design to realize.As stated, can use a plurality of drifts (for example, laterally deviating from other drift) with different drill bits layouts.Punching rate can change so that the distance that increases between the adjacent apertures (spacing) to be provided, and then, circulation is as described above returned.For example, can adjust the plate translational speed, make spacing increase, till distance of separation reaches 15 Mills, then this process (reduced 1 Mill) conversely at every turn, or start anew again from the Magnification of original row of perforations with a Mill.The technical specification book of given particular filter, then spacing can change according to the defined circumference of certain portions of giving by plate in the filter of rolling, and makes that the opening of radially adjoining can be not nested.Prevent that nested another method in addition from being through making the laterally displacement of one or more drifts, to make every row laterally depart from the row of front.With regard to other method, drift can arrange with ground displacement before and after the fixed amount, or can unidirectionally arrange with predetermined amount, till meeting the requirements of deviation, and then returns.For example, use the distance (to opening) at the center-right-center among the given row, then next row can laterally displacement 30% on next drift, on following drift again additional 30% or the like, carries out predetermined times, and then, original position is got back in displacement.If, then can directly calculate, avoid the nested of radially adjoining opening to confirm how opening need change according to the position of filter specification book known filter inner panel any part.Can use any one or its in these technology to make up and reduce nested possibility, the technology that will describe below comprising.

Also having another to reduce nested method is the size that changes opening.Preferably, through changing penetration depth, for example, change drift each time, the stop position of twice or the perforation number of times that requires, can change the openings of sizes in any row.When two or more drifts were used, each drift can be set different penetration depth, and/or can have the drill bit of the size that is different from another drift, and/or had the drill bit of different geometric forms.

Expanded metal object of the present invention can twine combined with wire.For example, the plate of punching on request is wound up on the axle, makes that all terminations are adjacent, then, pattern as requested with wire be wound into this punching substrate around.Winding can be strengthened solid (not punching) zone provides the end of cutting sth. askew, and/or partly covers punching.Winding wiry no longer needs the edge of welded plate.Fig. 4 B illustrates has Fig. 4 A shown device that is wound with three separation region 307 wiry.Wire has improved the explosion intensity of force of device antagonism inflation.An end shown in the figure, wherein, winding 309 provides the geometric form of beveled end (or approaching beveled end).The punched-plate that wire twines can carry out sintering or soldering, with the winding of fixing metal silk.In the time of on being wrapped in existing punching, can use this to twine and further increase or customize effective open space (that is the pressure drop of generation) with the degree of meeting the requirements of.

Although the description of the foregoing description is special in being used for the filter of air bag component, also have other purposes for object so, for example, electrode with replace used Holland's braiding (Dutch weave) in the braiding air bag filter.When beginning was used than thin plate, less hole was possible, thereby produces " miniature " expanded metal.The punch metal panel filter of some prior art uses the interlayer of ceramic paper to add filtration.On the contrary, miniature expanded metal (be thinned to and can think paper tinsel completely, thickness is less than 10 Mills) can replace ceramic paper to use.In most of situations, the object that the present invention produces will be used for filtering.

B. use

In the typical application of foregoing invention, expanded metal is reeled on himself and is formed the structure with multilayer, and for example, multilayer is between three layers and 20 layers.First 360 degree twines (ground floor) available point soldering method to be fixed with the remainder layer that twines each other continuously, to meet the requirements of overall diameter.Outermost layer available point solid welding then is fixed.Based on the purpose of intensity, spot welding can be added one or more internal circumferential layers of filter to.Yet,, do not need the spot welding of so adding usually for reaching the required strength level of air bag filter.

Fig. 5 illustrates the airbag inflator filter 13 of structure in this way.Fig. 6 illustrates the instance of the aerator shell 15 with internal chamber, and filter 13 is inserted in the chamber.Shown in shell therefore be used for the air bag of control wheel and always have the shape of pancake, it is suitable for being installed in drives on the post.The shell that is used for other type air bag (for example, curtain type gas bag) has different to a certain extent structures, and therefore, for such air bag, the structure of filter 13 can be different.Although structure maybe be different, the non-basically nested structure that uses is identical.

As shown in Figure 6, shell 15 comprises a plurality of holes 17, these holes 17 feasible gas effusion shells that produce by aerator explosion filler, and to being fixed on enclosure airbag aeration on every side.Typical explosion filler is based on ammonium nitrate, and produces a large amount of granular debris, is called " slag " in the row.Fig. 7 and 8 illustrates filler and is detonated the slag remaining 21 that is captured in afterwards on filter 13 interior diameters.Reference numeral 23 among this figure shows the port of shell igniter, and it is used to ignite main explosion filler, and this main explosion filler was positioned within filter 13 interior diameters before igniting.Careful close examination Fig. 7 and 8 can provide some sensations to the condition that filter 13 must be operated.These figure are compared with Fig. 5, and what Fig. 5 showed is to ignite filter before, demonstrates extreme pressure and heat condition that the use middle filtrator is faced.

When structure filter 13; Both change on each circumferentially twines usually along the opening of expanded metal length or spacing or they; And the figure that launches shows, along with filter on this circumference, twines and increase part length, add layer in each of expanded metal and locate increase.Fig. 9 schematically illustrates the figure of representing type; This figure can use along the length of expanded metal 5; Here Reference numeral 7 is represented the part of expanded metal; This part has selected be used for reducing nested spacing and/or opening size, the part (referring to following discussion) of the non-punching of Reference numeral 9 representatives.Except consider nested, the size of also can gas flow characteristic as requested coming selecting hole.Therefore, the innermost layer of filter can be used bigger opening, and is available more tiny thereafter but nonclogging opening is used bigger opening thereafter again, to reach the effect of diffusion in the filter outer surface.Certainly, can adopt other combination according to application characteristic.

Length L 1, L2 and L3 among Fig. 9 (and the length of being somebody's turn to do other part shown in figure and Figure 10 A) is generally inequality, to consider the increase that increases relevant circumferential lengths with radius.Should be noted that, the length not drawn on scale of the part among this figure and Figure 10 A, but only be that explanation is used for reducing circumferentially twining the nested configuration type.In addition, the quantity shown in comparable these figure of the partial amt that uses in the actual filtration device is big or little.

Use variable spacing and/or opening size, can obtain various benefits.For example, use meticulous spacing and/or tiny opening, just can optimize particle and be detained and overall characteristic.More by and large,, just can improve uniformity widely, comprise significantly reducing of the standard deviation that flows through the filter flow, and this be extremely important for gas-bag system manufacturer through reducing/eliminate nested phenomenon.

C. cranky path

Figure 10 illustrates the use of non-punching part 9, to form the serpentine path that gas flows through filter.Non-punching part of in the punching figure these or band cause in the filter of assembling, forming zigzag path.So the path is desirable for being detained the particle that is produced by air bag explosion filler.Specifically, during the compelled change of each gas direction, its VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION changes, and this causes the particulate leaching of carrying secretly in the gas stream and become and is trapped in the filter.One of filter main application of airbag inflator is to catch the particle that the explosion filler produces, and therefore, it is very important for gas-bag system manufacturer to improve filter particle capture ability.

Non-punching part 9 produces this kind directions and changes, and this is because gas can not pass through these parts, but must advance along these parts, up to gas arrival till its this part edge with the path of finding out outflow filter of must turning once more.Therefore non-punching part works to do barrier to the simple Radial Flow through filter gas.

This indentation is presented among Figure 10, and wherein, Figure 10 C is the enlarged drawing of the part of filter 13 in Figure 10 B circle C.The gas stream of filter is flow through in arrow representative among Figure 10 C.Obviously, this gas flow paths is very complicated, and it has many directions to change, and this helps from gas stream, to remove degranulation.

In Figure 10, non-punching part 9 extends through whole width of expanded metal 5.If necessary, non-punching part can only partly extend through the width of plate, for example, the one or more positions between an edge, two edges, edge, or combination place of said circumstances can have the punching zone.Use for some, so can help balance for the demand of particle delay and the demand of mobile back pressure than complicated graphs.

Yet launch, use non-punching part cause gas flow in filter body, to comprise circumferential flow at least to a certain degree.Circumferential flow by non-punching partly produces is being understood greater than the average headway between the punching, for example greater than more than 5 times on the distance.In certain embodiments; The embodiment shown in Figure 10 B and the 10D for example is on the certain distance of all possible basically flow path of filter interior diameter to its overall diameter average distance between greater than punching, not only comprise Radial Flow but also comprise some circumferential flow at least.

Should be noted that filter is not the part that each layer all needs non-punching.On the contrary, some layer can mainly manifest flowing radially, for example, the front which floor with last which floor, and other layer can be Radial Flow and the roughly combination of circumferential flow, for example, the intermediate layer.

D. circumferential slot

As shown in Figure 6, shell 15 comprises a plurality of holes 17, and the gas that is produced by air bag explosion filler flows out shell through these holes 17.Usually, these holes are positioned at single transverse plane, but in some cases, adopt two rounds that are arranged in two transverse planes.Shown in Fig. 6-8, no matter be in a transverse plane or usually all locate with respect to the enclosure chamber of admitting filter 13 in the hole in a plurality of transverse planes asymmetricly.

Because all holes 17 are only outlets of gas that air bag explosion filler produces, so importantly, it is unlimited that hole 17 should keep in the airbag deployment process.In practice, particularly the periphery of filter can be owing to the explosion that in the filter interior diameter, takes place is expanded for filter 13.So expansion can reduce and/or block between filter and the shell the radially collector space of annular, comprises near the space the hole 17, thus, causes the combustion pressure rising.

Through a series of experiments, have found that the groove that forms in the filter outer surface keeps its shape basically during explosion, and the remainder size of filter is becoming big.These experiments comprise the experiment under the extreme condition,, use the experiment of maximum explosion fillers and 250 ℉ filter temperatures that is.The filter temperature of selecting 250 ℉ is because the representative of this temperature is with car stops a very long time and maximum temperature that possibly occur under the sun.Because, raise along with temperature and descend such as the physical characteristic that forms filter 13 used metals, so will under the condition that temperature improves, experimentize.

Based on these experiments; Can reach a conclusion; Because the problem that the filter that the pressure that produces in the ignition process causes distortion makes hole 17 utilization rates reduce can overcome through following measure: (i) on filter exterior cylindrical surfaces roughly, comprise circumferential slot 3, and guarantee that (ii) circumferential slot is aimed at the circumferential hoop in hole 17 in the shell of assembling.

As stated, hole 17 common mid-planes with the chamber of admitting filter depart from.Therefore, if filter has only a groove, or filter inserts inner chamber with the opposite way round, and then the utilization rate in hole 17 becomes undermined.In order to handle this possibility, in the outer surface of filter 13, form two grooves 3, when making one of them groove in filter inserts shell, no matter the orientation of filter how all can aim at the hole of shell.Also as previously discussed, some shell has the above hole of a row.In this kind situation, in many outer surfaces that groove 3 are formed on filter 13, one of them groove in filter inserts shell the time, no matter the orientation of filter how all can aim at every row's hole.For example, if shell have two rows near the hole, so, filter has four grooves that are organized into two groups, make between every group of groove spacing less than group with organize between spacing.

Groove 3 can have various structures and can form in every way.In general, groove should be enough wide, and like this, even all tolerances (that is, cumulative limit or pile up tolerance) completely appear on the direction, groove is coverage hole still.In practice, find that the groove with arc-shaped cross-section can resist higher pressure than the groove with V-arrangement cross section.In addition, have found that on rolling plate around himself, on expanded metal, form groove before to form filter, this more can resist ignition pressure than rolling the groove that after accomplishing, on the filter outer surface, forms.

Except using groove, also can through increase be used for forming filter metal draw high the expansion that intensity reduces filter.The raising that draws high intensity has increased the hoop of filter, therefore, makes the growth of filter periphery become minimum.

Figure 11 illustrates a kind of equipment, and this equipment can be used for when expanded metal is wound into filter, in plate, forming groove 3.As shown in the figure, first roller 41 comprises depression 47, and second roller 39 comprises protrusion 45.Expanded metal is through between the roller that has guider 43, and this guider is used for stoping plate to do lateral movement.Guider 43 is also kept the aligning between all rollers, for example, can allow roller 39 to float along horizontal direction, and guider 43 is used for limiting roller and it is aimed at roller 41.Perhaps, that the single pressure roll with groove structure can adopt in winding process is pneumatic, hydraulic way or servomotor compressing on the surface of filter, force groove shape to be formed in the filter thus.As another replacement scheme, after filter twined fully and welds, the trough of belt roller of certain profile can be urged to when rotating on the filter substantial cylindrical face to form groove.Yet, have found that a kind of method in back compares to the method that groove is formed in the expanded metal in winding process and has lower opposing and the ability of igniting forces associated.

E. chamfering

Experiment is also reached a conclusion; Bight to filter applies chamfering radius; Can in the aerator shell, provide than wedge angle or the better filter sealing of angle of chamfer, here, preferable sealing means; When in filter central bore, lighting the aerator filler, sealing reduces to discharge from shell the maximum length of flame.As known in the row, so the length of flame can use high-speed photography to confirm to air bag in the ignition process.

Like Fig. 6, shown in 12 and 13, the aerator shell has chamfering (referring to the Reference numeral 19 among the figure) usually.Figure 12 illustrates cooperating of filter 13 with chamfered corners 29 and chamfering 19, and Figure 13 illustrates the cooperation situation of the filter with rounding 27.Before experiment is carried out; Once expected that chamfered corners can come better than rounding; This is because the contact of the expection point relevant with chamfered corners can produce the bight distortion through a loading, thus when shell assembles and forces filter entering wall, then through explosion filler generation pressure and the traditional sealing of generation between filter and shell wall.

Yet, in practice, have found that rounding is much better than chamfered corners.Therefore, transform to the rounding of Figure 13, can when the aerator filler is lighted in filter central bore, the flame maximum length that from shell, discharges reduced more than 25% from the chamfered corners of Figure 12.Chamfered corners be superior to square corners but not as the rounding that kind good.Compare with square corners, rounding produces significantly greater than 25% reduce the flame maximum length that from shell, discharges, for example, and greater than 50% reduce.Rounding also is being superior to chamfered corners and square corners aspect the particle delay.

In general, the mean radius in filter bight should the mean inner radius of shell ± 10% in, preferably in ± 5%.In addition, the rounding in bight need use a loading process to carry out.Especially, because the structural strength of each filter layer is low, so the machined radius is just improper.Polishing process is also infeasible because the polishing residue have metal with organically, they will deposit in the filtration device structure, and be difficult to (be not impossible) and remove.When air bag explosion filler is detonated, these polishing residues will be released, and the fragment that device is caught therefore occur not being filtered.In order in punching out or shaping guider, in single stroke, to form radius is unpractical, this be since the post undercapacity of filter to support and so to operate relevant very big power.

The point loading process has overcome these other problems in using.This kind technology makes the bight densification and can not remove metal, has therefore avoided the fines problem of being correlated with in the polishing.At any given time, this technology only is applied to big power on the zonule of filter edges periphery, therefore, has avoided the problem relevant with the filter strength characteristic.

Point loads and can carry out in various manners.For example, as in the track riveter, one or more rotating shafts have suitable radius on its working face, and such axle can be applied on the each point on the filter bight, and move and produce rounding along the periphery in bight.Perhaps, can use the device of type shown in Figure 14.

In this system, shown in curved arrow among Figure 14 B, roller 33 all rotates with filter 13.Specifically, filter 13 is driven with relative high speed, and roller 33 contacts with filter, because itself and filter friction engagement, rotate with the filter rightabout on the roller edge.Filter 13 is engaged in the hole 35 of roller 33, as among Figure 14 B clearly shown in, hole and filter only come in contact along the single line that they meet.Therefore, be applied between filter and the roller 33 and make the power of their engagements, only be applied on two bights of filter at the place, opposite end of this contact wire, that is, the filter bight since the some loading be out of shape.The radius of the corner radii matching can in hole 35; Precision in ± 10% (preferably; ± 5%), therefore, shown in Figure 13 B; The result that point loads will form filter bight 27 between filter substantial cylindrical outer surface 25 and its roughly flat end 31, this bight 27 is the inside radius in matching can bight 19 nearly.

F. veining

As discussed above, one of purposes of the filter of airbag inflator is the fragment (particle) that the explosion filler of seizure ignition aerator is produced.Also as discussed above, when the gas that flows through filter stood the direction change, particle was tending towards being filtered device and catches.Laminar flow is the opposite of the air-flow of gas and changing direction wherein.For the occurrence probability that makes this kind air-flow is minimum, form the surface of the expanded metal of filter and can carry out veining.So veining can be carried out on metallic plate before or after plate punching (expansion), was typical method more and adopt preparatory veining.

Through the veining to the metal surface, quite flat planer surface transformation is a series of thousands of mountain peaks and mountain valley, therefore makes the plate surface area upwards increase by 20%.On the border that hot gas passes through in a large number, have this kind additional surfaces area, this has increased the filter efficiency of filter.Filter except improving, the surface of veining has increased hot transmission to filter.As discussed above, before the gas that is produced by air bag explosion filler arrived air bag, cooling off this gas was one of function of air bag filter.

Although do not hope, can believe that increased efficiency and the cooling that strengthens explosion gas all are owing to the turbulent flow that has produced high reynolds number in the surface of veining by any specific theory of operation restriction.So turbulent flow is to control by being tending towards producing at random the internal force of eddy current, whirlpool and other flow fluctuation.These at random eddy current, whirlpool and flow fluctuation make that the time of contact of gas and filter surfaces is longer, thus, more particles of deposition on filter, and exchange more thermal energy with filter.

Just catch particle, also can believe, the Feng Hegu perpendicular to gas flow direction on the texturizing surfaces helps removing more particles, especially, helps removing tiny particle.These peaks and paddy provide the mechanism of from gas stream, catching and remove degranulation consumingly.

Because the contact both sides of the metal band of gas and formation filter so veining preferably is positioned on the both sides of band, but also can adopt the veining on the side if necessary.Known the whole bag of tricks is implemented in the veining available rows.Comparatively one of effective method is to let band through being carved with the embossing roller of figure in the roller surfaces.Known several different methods forms in the figure available rows on the roller, comprises craft, laser-induced thermal etching, EDM, hobbing, or the combination of said method.As the replacement scheme that embossing roller is used, can use the combination of laser, harsh, annular knurl, sandblast (for example, utilizing centrifugal sand-blasting machine) or aforesaid way to come strip face is directly carried out veining.Form in any case, the linear character density D of texturizing surfaces is always in 15-500 characteristic/inch scope, and the characteristic amplitude is not more than 0.5/D.

Figure 15 is the photo that is formed with the knurling rolls surface of texture graphics 37 on it, and this roller can be used to that the metal band of producing the air bag filter is done veining and handles.The U.S. among this figure penny has shown the ratio that can use graph style.As shown in the drawing, all figure is a checkerboard, and the groove in each square is perpendicular to the groove of contiguous square.In the time of on being delivered to metal band, the figure of the type demonstrates the ability of laminar flow when reducing gas through strip face significantly.This figure even under the flow path of fluctuation, still can from gas stream, seize particle.

G. the metal (for example, plated metal) that applies

As discussed above, in the airbag inflator system, except catching particle, filter also is used for cooling off the swelling heat gas from the pyrotechnics configuration.The cooling capacity of filter has tremendous influence for the performance of aerator.

The expanded metal band comprises first metal; This first metal has at least one and applies second kind of metallic surface; And the thermal conductivity of second kind of metal is greater than the thermal conductivity of first kind of metal, for example, and big at least 25%; Can realize the additional heat transmission from the expanding gas to the filter through form filter from one or more this kind expanded metal bands, this heat transmission surpasses the heat transmission that is provided by first metal separately.As used herein, word " metal " comprises simple metal and metal alloy.

In use, heat energy is delivered to filter through convection current.Because all processes of aerator explosion is only spent about 20 milliseconds, the time that offers the convection current transmission is very short.Therefore, the skin of a high heat conduction is arranged is extremely beneficial to the boundary between filter and hot gas.Because pyroconductivity is higher, even second thin metal layer as electroplate forming also can not only improve the localized heat transfer of filter but also strengthen the whole intrinsic heat distributions of filter.

Various metals can be used for first and second metals.For example, first metal can be a carbon steel, and second metal can be tin or ashbury metal.To～38W/mK scope, and the pyroconductivity of pure tin is～64W/mK the pyroconductivity of mild steel at～26W/mK.As stated, when the object that the auto industry manufacturing is produced in batches, it is very expensive that overload is considered.Because it uses in packing industry, zinc-plated carbon steel sheet obtains easily.Although tin plate is more expensive slightly than the material that does not plate, use zinc-plated expanded metal and the thermal efficiency that increases makes that the filter all-mass is able to reduce, and this can outclass the compensation that zinc-plated carbon steel sheet cost is increased slightly.

Except above consideration,, filter also need protective filter to be corroded before using sometimes, and after filter was installed, this kind anticorrosion can keep many years.In the pyrotechnics aerator, there are two filters locations.In first position, filter bits is in the sealed chamber that is hedged off from the outer world that has propellant.Second position, therefore filter bits is exposed in the atmosphere outside the sealed chamber that is hedged off from the outer world, and its corrosion of can getting rusty or become can't bear.Past tackles etching problem and is always and adopts stainless steel to construct filter, or on the filter of completion, carries out the heat operation of turning blue, just as that kind of on firearms, turning blue.So turning blue forms oxide on the filter metal surface, it can stop and gets rusty.

Mention the filter of processing with expanded metal, the advantage of zinc-plated carbon steel sheet is the natural corrosion resistance of material.Although in most of situations, steel plate can be electroplated before dilation procedure takes place, thus, stay do not add to a certain extent protection punch and expanded bore, the major part of steel still is coated with tin coating.In addition, experimental study showed already that punching tool was pulled into some tin coating in the opening in the dilation procedure process, although opening does not manifest and the identical corrosion resistance in plate surface, in opening, still had the protective value of raising.

H. catalyst coatings

In other embodiments, object useful catalyst composition disclosed herein applies, and therefore works the carrier (substrate) of making catalyst.As be used as the carrier of catalyst, then plate the most handy 309 or 310 stainless steels or corrosion resisting alloy are processed, just as comprise chromium and also comprise the alloy of aluminium alternatively.For example, in being similar to the structure of radial flow filter, for hand-held or midget plant, for example, hay mover, blow leaf machine or chain saw, the substrate of coating can be used as the converters of catalysis.Perhaps, plate can be made accordion goffering (that is, pleating and turnover), and the adjacent turnover in there has the various openings pattern, forces the cranky flows of gas and touches many surf zones of coating unit like this.Traditional SCR catalyst is titanium-vanadium composition, and it washes-be coated to the substrate that is used for thermal power plant, or be used for the fuel meat oxidation with other reshape the ceria catalyst (US 7271127) of operation.Perhaps, object can have flushing-coating, and this coating increased surface area before the coating catalyst composition, for example, be used for the silica and/or the aluminium oxide of catalytic conversion thing, and then, they sequentially apply the catalyst component that has platinum, palladium and/or rhodium usually.Expanded metal used depart from the hole and can obtain same serpentine shape so that object can be used in the air bag filter, this can be used in any filter and the catalyst applications similar articles, and the zonule domestic demand will have the flow path of expansion in these application.So install except exhaust gas catalytic converter, also can be used as discharge filter, the there can make filter regeneration (such as diesel particulate filter) through heating.

More than describe and be intended to describe rather than limit.The technical staff who pores over this specification can understand to also have various variations, modification and interpolation, and they are all within defined scope of the present invention and spirit like claims.

For example; Filter comprises that at least one has along the expanded metal band of the variable punching pattern of its length (promptly; Spacing and/or openings of sizes are variable); The filter of even now preferably (for example is; Because they have higher uniformity and the non-circularity of low-level formation in air bag is filled), but various aspect of the present invention also can be used for through each part expanded metal is welded together the filter of producing, and each part expanded metal has uniform different punching patterns on the whole length of each part metallic plate.Especially and without stint; Serpentine path of the present invention, circumferential slot, rounding, veining; And aspects such as plating can engage, and this back is a kind of uses in order to the method for making expanded metal; The claims that relate to these aspects of the present invention of setting forth below are intended to contain these two kinds method and present other methods known or that will develop thereafter of making the filter of expanded metal.

Claims (24)

1. a tubular filter comprises expanded metal, and said expanded metal rolls around himself and goes up and formation multilayer pipe; Wherein, Said expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings, and comprises the part that at least one does not have opening, and said part forms the circumferential flow of gas in said filter.

2. tubular filter as claimed in claim 1; It is characterized in that; Said filter has interior diameter and overall diameter, all possible basically flow path from said interior diameter to said overall diameter, not only comprises Radial Flow but also comprise some circumferential flow at least on the distance of average distance greater than said opening.

3. tubular filter; Comprise expanded metal, said metallic plate rolls around himself going up and forming the multilayer pipe with substantial cylindrical outer surface, wherein; Said expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings, and the outer surface of said substantial cylindrical comprises circumferential slot.

4. tubular filter as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, said outer surface comprises two circumferential slots.

5. tubular filter as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that said groove has the cross section of arc.

6. tubular filter as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, said expanded metal roll be around on himself before, said groove is formed in the said expanded metal.

7. assembly comprises:

(a) be used for the shell of airbag inflator, said shell has the chamber of admitting tubular filter and lets gas flow out the circumferential annular distance of said chamber; And

(b) be positioned at the as claimed in claim 3 tubular filter of said chamber;

Wherein, the circumferential slot of said tubular filter is aimed at the circumferential annular distance of said shell.

8. assembly comprises:

(a) be used for the shell of airbag inflator, said shell has the chamber of admitting tubular filter and lets gas flow out the circumferential annular distance of chamber, and said circumferential annular distance departs from the mid-plane of said chamber; And

(a) be positioned at the as claimed in claim 4 tubular filter of said chamber;

Wherein, in the said tubular filter only a circumferential slot aim at the circumferential annular distance of shell.

9. tubular filter; Comprise expanded metal; Said expanded metal rolls the last and formation multilayer pipe around himself, the flat basically end that said pipe has the outer surface of centre bore, substantial cylindrical and between said centre bore and said substantial cylindrical outer surface, extends, wherein; Said expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings, and between the outer surface of said substantial cylindrical and said roughly flat end, intersects the bight that forms and carried out rounding with putting a loading process.

10. assembly comprises:

(a) be used for the shell of airbag inflator; Said shell comprises the chamber with inwall; Said inwall comprises the sidewall sections and the end wall portion of substantial cylindrical, and wherein, the bight of intersecting formation between the sidewall sections of said substantial cylindrical and the said end wall portion is rounded; And

(b) be positioned at the as claimed in claim 9 tubular filter of said chamber;

Wherein, The rounding of said tubular filter and the rounding of said chamber are complementary; With the filter in comparison of said bight without rounding, when being lighted in the centre bore of aerator filler at said filter, the flame maximum length that discharges from said shell reduces at least 25%.

11. assembly as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, with the filter in comparison of said bight without rounding, when being lighted in the centre bore of said aerator filler at said filter, the flame maximum length that discharges from said shell reduces at least 50%.

12. assembly as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, the mean radius of the rounding of said filter the mean radius of the rounding of said shell chamber ± 10% in.

13. tubular filter; Comprise expanded metal; Said expanded metal rolls around himself going up and forming the multilayer pipe, and wherein, said expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings; The expanded metal surface between some opening at least carries out texture processing, to reduce gas at said lip-deep laminar flow.

14. tubular filter as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that said texture has the linear character density D, and said linear character density D at 15 characteristic/inches to the scope of 500 characteristic/inches.

15. tubular filter as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that the characteristic amplitude is less than or equal to 0.5/D.

16. tubular filter; Comprise expanded metal, said expanded metal rolls around himself going up and forming the multilayer pipe, wherein; Said expanded metal comprises a plurality of openings; Said expanded metal comprises first kind of metal, and at least one surfaces coated of said first metal is covered with second kind of metal, and the thermal conductivity of said second kind of metal is bigger by 25% than the thermal conductivity of said first kind of metal at least.

17. tubular filter as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, said first kind of metal is carbon steel, and said second kind of metal is tin.

18. tubular filter as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that said tin is coated on the said carbon steel.

19. an expanded metal comprises many row of openings, wherein, the spacing between the adjacent rows is not constant, and said metallic plate is corrosion resistant.

20. metallic plate as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, said forming sheet metal is desirable geometric form, cleans then-apply.

21. metallic plate as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, said cleaning-coating is the catalyst mode.

22. an expanded metal comprises many row of openings, wherein, the spacing between the adjacent rows is not constant, and wherein, a) said metallic plate was electroplate with another kind of metal before expansion, and b) said plating is the catalyst mode.

23. metallic plate as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, said electroplating operations gives improved thermal conductivity on substrate metal.

24. metallic plate as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, the decay resistance that said electroplating operations adds on substrate metal.

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